The tandem with Spectral Service AG

Four questions for Dr Jessica Rumpf

What are you working on as part of your tandem project?

My work focuses on the analysis and structural characterisation of plant-based raw materials. In this context, I am investigating the constituents and active ingredients of medicinal, aromatic and cereal plants, as well as lignocellulose-rich biomass and waste materials.

As part of the tandem, I aim to further develop research and teaching at the H-BRS in a practice-oriented way, whilst incorporating experience from the industrial sector. A key objective is to translate scientific findings into industrial applications.

What does your work at the H-BRS involve in practical terms?

At the H-BRS, I plan and carry out research projects and incorporate current research topics directly into my teaching. This includes delivering courses and acting as a supervisor for final-year dissertations. Another key focus is on expanding the collaboration between the H-BRS and Spectral Service, as well as on knowledge transfer between the university and industry.

How do you collaborate with Spectral Service?

My industry partner is Spectral Service AG in Cologne, a chemical contract laboratory specialising in NMR spectroscopy. There, I work as a test manager in the Innovation & Research team and work on a wide range of analytical problems. The spectrum ranges from client commissions such as feasibility studies and structural characterisation, through research projects and the development of new NMR-based methods, to specialised NMR experiments involving various hetero-nuclei.

Our collaboration with H-BRS is particularly closely integrated through joint research and third-party-funded projects such as PolySpeC and autoNMR. This enables scientific questions, analytical methods and practical experience from industry to be exchanged directly between the two institutions.

What makes the tandem model special for you?

I am particularly excited by the opportunity to work in two different professional environments. Experiences and research questions from industry inspire my research and teaching at the H-BRS. Conversely, scientific findings can be directly applied in practice. It is precisely this mutual exchange that, for me, constitutes the special value of the tandem model.